Community Corner

Gas Line Test Postponed

PG&E will be conducting a pressure test on a natural gas line near Airport Boulevard and Holm Road.

UPDATE: PG&E announced late Thursday that the test will be rescheduled. A new date has not been set.

PG&E will be venting natural gas into the atmosphere in north Watsonville on Friday morning, part of a pressure test on a natural gas line, the company reported.

Air movers will be operating in the area, near Airport Boulevard and Holm Road, after the pressure test to dissipate the natural gas.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Sheriff's Office received a letter from PG&E officials and shared it on Facebook. This is the letter:

I wanted to let you know that as part of a hydrostatic pressure test (T 101) taking place on a segment of DFM 1816-01 (Watsonville/Aptos area), we will need to conduct a vent of natural gas to the atmosphere this Friday in Watsonville. Here are the details:

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Date of Vent: Friday, 8/10/2012
Time of Vent: Between 6am and 12pm
Specific Location of Vent: Airport Blvd and Holm in Watsonville
Duration of Vent: approximately 1 hr

Following the vent, we will be utilizing air movers to ensure that no residual gas is left in the line. Air movers (compressors pushing the gas out of the pipe) will be located at Freedom Blvd, NE of Cottage Rd in Aptos and also at Airport Blvd and Holm in Watsonville. The air movers will be running throughout the day.

As a result of our work, customers may not only smell mercaptan (odorizer in natural gas), but they may also see our trucks and crews in the area and hear generators which may be used to power air movers that will help dissipate the odor.

If there are every any concerns we encourage everyone to call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

Please note that our work schedule is subject to change and is dependent on safe weather conditions. We appreciate your patience while we complete this important project, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

The testing involves pressurizing a section of pipe with water to a much higher level than the pipe will ever operate with natural gas, and the test will validate the safe operating pressure of the pipeline, according to the PG&E website.

The work should not interrupt natural gas service to any customers in the area


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here